Thanks, Robert.
I am looking for some way to ensure new client payment.  It is not seeming unreasonable to ask for up-front payment.  I have many well established clients who pay regularly.  I did take some new clients work based on their  "desperate" need for a search.  I wish I knew then what I know now.  The names have not surfaced yet in these forums.  I will continue to try to collect before posting warnings.  It's not housands of dollars, but I completed the searches in good faith and have not had any luck communicating since the searches were completed.
Now I'm a little leary of new companies.  Never had this happen in the past 7 years.  Thanks for your time,
Kim